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Ashby man accused in copper theft

By Lisa Redmond, lredmond@lowellsun.com

Updated:
06/10/2014 07:29:35 AM EDT

LOWELL -- While copper wire is often stolen by those who get access to dilapidated homes and do the dirty job of ripping the copper pipes from walls, Tewksbury police allege an Ashby man simply took copper off the shelf at a local Home Depot store.

Patrick Nangle, 31, of 9 Taylor St., appeared Thursday in Lowell District Court on a summons. He was released on personal recognizance after pleading not guilty to larceny over $250 by single scheme.

His next court date is July 17 for a pretrial conference.

Tewksbury police allege in court documents that at 4 p.m. on May 30, police were dispatched to Home Depot at 85 Main St. for a report of a theft. The store's loss-prevention officer told police that while viewing security cameras, he saw a man enter the electrical department, select six rolls of copper wire valued at $95 each and head toward the self-checkout.

Police allege Nangle pretended to scan the six rolls of wire before placing them back into the cart. The man did scan and pay for a 1/2-inch copper coupling valued at 55 cents.

As Nangle was leaving the store, an employee asked to see his receipt. Instead of providing one, Nangle allegedly ignored the employee, loaded up his car and drove off.

The car's license plate came back to Nangle and the security video matched Nangle's driver's-license photo.

Police allege Nangle has two open larceny cases in Worcester and Fitchburg district courts.

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